Major funding cuts undermine Ukraine’s women’s rights organizations’ abilities to provide humanitarian aid
UN Women calls for more direct, flexible, and long-term funding to women’s rights organizations to ensure life-saving programs for women and girls to meet sudden funding gaps. Learn more
For ALL Women and Girls: Mariana Zabrian
on blending family tradition and entrepreneurship for economic empowerment. Learn more
Women’s rights then and now: “We should bring back hope.”
Interview with Flutura Xhabija on attending the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 and how the Beijing Platform for Action remains relevant today. Learn more
For ALL Women and Girls: Lyazzat Rakisheva
on resilience, justice, and breaking the silence for women survivors. Learn more
Ukrainian women are powering the country's recovery
Across Ukraine, women and women's civil society organizations are providing life-saving aid, protecting the most vulnerable, and rebuilding the social fabric of war-torn communities. Learn more
Highlights
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ECARO - IWD2025 - Banner
International Women’s Day 2025

This year, on International Women’s Day, we move from commitment to action, as the theme calls for unlocking equal rights, power, and opportunities for all. Our vision is a feminist future where no one is left behind. At the heart of this vision is empowering the next generation – youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls - as drivers of lasting change.

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On 8 July 2024 in Kyiv, fire and rescue service workers, hospital staff and volunteers clear rubble and search for people trapped under debris after an attack that hit Okhmatdyt hospital, Ukraine's largest children's medical centre. Photo: UNICEF/UNI608590/Filippov
Three years into the full-scale war, Ukrainian women lead humanitarian aid and economic resilience

Three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian women continue to bear the brunt of the war. With over 1.8 million internally displaced and almost 6.7 million requiring humanitarian assistance, the war in Ukraine is one of the most profound humanitarian crises of our time. Women in Ukraine face rising unemployment, escalating gender-based violence, and growing domestic burdens. Yet, amid destruction and displacement, Ukraine's women are stepping up as first responders, civil society leaders, and entrepreneurs at the forefront of humanitarian response, economic recovery, and social cohesion.

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Women and children are amongst the most affected after the earthquakes in Gaziantep, Türkiye. Photo: UN Women/Nilüfer Baş
In Focus: Supporting women and girls in Türkiye in the aftermath of the earthquakes

On 6 February 2023, twin earthquakes struck Türkiye and Syria, killing thousands of people and injuring many others. In close coordination with the government and partners, UN Women Türkiye’s emergency response is addressing the urgent and longer-term needs of women and girls impacted by the earthquakes. 

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web16days
In Focus: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Every effort invested in preventing violence against women is a step towards a safer, more equal, and prosperous world. Every story shared is a call to action, inspiring individuals, communities, and institutions to recognize early warning signs, intervene, and support survivors before violence escalates. Join us to end violence against women and girls.

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In focus: EXPO 2024
Women's Entrepreneurship EXPO 2024

Launched in 2021, the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO is a unique partnership platform to promote women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem building in the Europe and Central Asia region. EXPO provides an interactive space for women entrepreneurs, investors and private sector representatives for collaboration, ideas generation, capacity building and business development.

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B+30
In Focus: Beijing+30 in Europe and Central Asia

In 2025, the global community will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). The Beijing Declaration serves as a global policy framework and blueprint for achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls worldwide.

Op-Ed
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The Unstoppable March Forward: A Call for Action on International Women's Day

The Unstoppable March Forward: A Call for Action on International Women's Day

On the occasion of the International Women's Day, 8 March, in their joint op-ed, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Belén Sanz Luque and UNFPA Regional Director for Easter Europe and Central Asia, Florence Bauer, call for urgent, collective action to secure progress #ForAllWomenAndGirls. Read more

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Belén Sanz Luque, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia

Regional Director, Belén Sanz Luque

Belén Sanz Luque is the Regional Director for UN Women Europe and Central Asia. Previously, Belén Sanz served as UN Women Country Representative for Mexico (2017-2024) and Colombia (2013 - 2017). Full bio ►